Disaster declared after violent storm

Both the City of Marlin and Falls County were declared under a state of disaster on Friday, May 29, following an incredibly quick but devastating thunderstorm. 

It passed over Marlin around 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, according to official reports. 

After nearly an hour of spine-chilling turmoil, citizens emerged from their shelters to find an amass of wreckage and debris. 

During the storm, there were high winds, high water, and hail the size of a cutie orange. According to a press release, the western side of the city suffered the most damage. 

There were two unnamed stranded motorists during the storm, one of whom found themselves  stuck between the outer wall of the Falls Community Hospital and Clinic and a large tree.

“It was right there,” Michael Magouirk told reporters, pointing at the railroad tracks. “The water carried it all the way over there.”

There were no injuries or deaths reported. 

Along with multiple downed trees and damaged electrical lines, Marlinites found themselves left with extensive damage to their homes, vehicles, and community.

Main Street looked to be a primary point of destruction just after the storm. Multiple windows were out in the buildings on the south side of the street, as well as downed awnings and roof damage to multiple buildings on both sides. 

The Falls County Emergency Alert System showed an impending severe thunderstorm, where the initial warning was eventually moved to a thunderstorm watch. 

Officials maintain that it was only a severe thunderstorm, speculation remains as to whether there may have been something worse going on.

“I felt the pressure change, the temperature drop, and saw the hail,” remarked Melissa Mahoney, a downtown business owner. “As soon as I heard the sound that came with the storm, I knew it was the perfect set-up for a tornado.”

Numerous other citizens have voiced the same opinion, taking to facebook to question it.

Photos from before the storm show a large hole in the middle of a dark mass of clouds, which has shown to be a sign of an impending tornado.

Crops east of the Brazos look to be devastated, as some areas flooded completely, while other areas suffered such high winds that the corn crops folded in on themselves. Properties on Highway 7 show multiple areas where crops were completely uprooted, shown by haphazard areas of bare soil.

The cities of Lott, Rosebud, and Chilton were not hit anywhere near as hard, with witnesses observing a 20-minute rainshower lacking in hail. Trees were also downed, but little damage has been reported for those areas.

Reagan was hit along the lines of Marlin, with residents suffering vehicle damage, according to Jay Shults with FCEM.

Despite having their own qualms to deal with, City of Marlin employees were especially responsive in the aftermath. Public works was on site to get downed trees out of the roads immediately, while MPD and MFD did their best to help wherever possible.

Together, they assessed numerous damages within the three hour period following the uproar.

Other responding agencies were the Marlin Volunteer Fire Department, Falls County Emergency Management, FCHC Emergency Management, and FC Constable Pct. 1, as well as numerous good samaritans within the community.

The State of Disaster for the City of Marlin will go for seven days, as will the Disaster Declaration for the county, unless extended by the Marlin City Council and Commissioners Court, respectively.

“Citizens and Businesses in affected areas may be eligible for State and Federal Assistance,” said City of Marlin officials. “Additional information will follow as it is received.”

More photos of storm damage can be found at marlindemcorat.com.